ECU to test outdoor notification system

GREENVILLE, N.C.
(Dec. 15, 2008)
—
East Carolina University is scheduled on Dec. 16 to begin testing in preparation for installing outdoor speakers throughout campus.

The test is the first step in the installation of an outdoor emergency notification system to serve both east and west campus buildings, according to Tom Pohlman with ECU’s Environmental Health & Safety.

“This system will alert individuals outdoors on campus of tornado warnings and other dangerous situations which may affect the safety of our campus community,” Pohlman said. “We are conducting this test to ascertain the best locations for audible and understandable outdoor voice notification.”

During the testing, people on campus will hear two different tones, said Martin Jackson with ECU’s Information Technology and Computing Services. One sound is a high/low tone (not a siren) and the other is water splashing. Atlas Speakers, the manufacturer, will be conducting the testing along with ECU ITCS.

“Using these type tones allows us to compute and predict how the sound works at various distances on campus, and if it’s understood and heard well at varying distances from the speakers,” Jackson said.

The results of the testing will be used to determine how many speakers the university needs to reach people outdoors on campus and on which buildings to place them to reach people outdoors on campus.

People in the neighborhoods surrounding the university may also be able to hear the acoustical testing but should not be alarmed, Jackson said.

Funds provided through the UNC General Administration safety initiative will pay for the speakers and the installation, he said.

“This outdoor emergency notification system is a very important tool for us to have ready access to when needed,” Pohlman said.